Verner: Titans have another UCLA playmaker

A year ago the Titans struck playmaking gold with a rookie out of UCLA, as cornerback Alterraun Verner led the team with 15 passes defensed, finished second with three interceptions and finished fourth with 103 tackles.

Titans linebacker Akeem Ayers (George Walker IV / The Tennessean)

Might there be another big rookie season brewin’ from a Bruin?

Verner believes that will be the case, as he saw plenty of Titans rookie linebacker Akeem Ayers when the two were together in school at UCLA.

Like Verner, Ayers was a big-play machine at UCLA, where in three seasons he did the following damage: posted 14 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss; caused seven fumbles; intercepted six passes; and blocked a punt that was returned for a touchdown.

“The tape says it all about him,” Verner said. “He’s one of those people that when the lights come on, it doesn’t get too big for him. He might be good in practice, but when the game comes he’s a totally different beast out there. He’s always around the ball and he’s always making plays.”

So just what is it about those playmakers from UCLA?

“I think that something we tried to stress on our defense — turnovers and getting off the field so our offense could get a chance,” Verner said. “That’s one of the reasons why Ayers was recruited to UCLA because we knew that’s what he did in high school. Then he came in and that’s what he did from day one.”

Verner’s prediction for Ayers: “I expect him to be in the running for defensive rookie of the year.”